Glue applying method

ABSTRACT

A two part container includes a rectangular sleeve and a trayshaped bottom portion. Spinning nozzles enter the sleeve and fling adhesive against the inner surfaces of the sleeve. The tray-shaped bottom portion is plunged into the sleeve and the walls of the tray are adhered in face contact with the sleeve walls.

United States Patent 1 Peltier et a1.

1 Nov. 13, 1973 GLUE APPLYING METHOD [75] lnventors: Theodore E. Peltier, Hugo; Iver L.

7 Nelson, Minneapolis, both of Minn.

[73] Assignee: Hoerner Waldorf, St.-Paul, Minn.

[22] Filed: June 15, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 153,284

[52] U.S. Cl 156/293, 156/291, 156/423, 118/254, 118/317, 117/96, 93/3601, 93/36 [51] Int. Cl B311) 11/00, 8321) 1/02 [58] Field of Search 156/423, 293, 294;

118/55, 254, 300, 306, 317; 53/175; 93/3601, 36 M; 229/14 11,14 C, 14 R, 14 BW,14 BL, 14 BE; 117/96 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 679,811 8/1901 Williams 53/175 2,435,806 2/1948 Tibbetts 156/294 2,514,867 7/1950 Howard et al.. 53/175 2,593,325 4/1952 Mathews 53/175 2,827,009 3/1958 Norris 118/317 3,455,728 7/1969 Kiwiet 118/317 3,516,336 6/1970 Maulini et al... 53/175 3,465,948 9/1969 Boyer 229/14 H 3,121,522 2/1964 Ragnow 229/14 H Primary ExaminerAlfred L. Leavitt Assistant Examiner--Basil J. Lewris Attorney-Robert M. Dunning [57] ABSTRACT A two part container includes a rectangular sleeve and a tray-shaped bottom portion. Spinning nozzles enter the sleeve and fling adhesive against the inner surfaces of the sleeve. The tray-shaped bottom portion is plunged into the sleeve and the walls of the tray are adhered in face contact with the sleeve walls.

1 Claim, 16 Drawing Figures Patented Nov .13, 1973 3,772,121

4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS THEODORE E. FELT/ER IVER L. NELSON BY 11111. 91mg ATTORNEY Patented Nov .13, 1973 3,772,121

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 6f 85 6f 6;? 60 62 79 51 v 'INVENTORS rfifo oes E PEN/ER IVER L'. NELSON BY QM Pafented Nov .13, 1973 3,772,121

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 32 INVENTORJ THEODORE E. PELT/EI? [VEFP L. NELSON E51 3 BY QM TORNE Y GLUE APPLYING METHOD This invention relates to an improvement in glue applying apparatus, and deals particularly with a device for applying glue to the inner surfaces of the walls of a container sleeve or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Double wall containers are desirable for use in many fields Different industries have their own packing requirements. For example, in the meat industry, where cuts of beef are to be packaged in containers, it is desirable that the container have a solid bottom wall rather than closure flaps. It is desirable that the side walls of the container be .of more than one thickness of corrugated paperboard, as the product is heavy and tends to bulge outwardly the walls of conventional containers. It is also desirable that the container have top closure flaps which may, if desired, be closed and sealed on conventional equipment.

One style of container which has been found extremely desirable is a tray having a solid bottom panel, side and end walls hinged to the edges of said bottom panel, and corner flaps preferably on the ends of the side walls which fold into face contact with the end walls. This tray is inserted into a tubular sleeve, preferably having closure flaps hinged to the upper edges of the walls. When the tray is telescoped into the sleeve, a container is provided having double side walls, triple thickness end walls, a solid bottom, and top closure flaps which may be folded on conventional equipment.

Perhaps the biggest problem with containers of this type lies in the fact that in preferred form, the tray and sleeve should be adhered together. Such a container forming system is normally a manual operation and accordingly is expensive. Adhesive may be applied with a brush or roller to the exterior walls of the tray, or the interior walls of they sleeve, and the two parts telescoped together. This results in a container in which the adhesion between the walls of the tray and the sleeve is usually variable. The degree of adhesion depends upon the setting quality of the adhesive, the ability of the worker to apply glue evenly over a desired area, the time elapsing between the start of the adhesive application and the telescoping operation, and the like. As a result, the finished containers are not uniform in strength or quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION We have found that a simple apparatus may be used to greatly reduce the time of assembly and also greatly reduce the variables which usually effect the assembly operation. By mounting glue nozzles extending radially from a rotatable hollow shaft, and rotating the shaft as glue is forced through the nozzles, glue may be slung or thrown outwardly against the interior walls of a sleeve. By reciprocating the shaft and nozzles as they are rotated, a uniform area of adhesive may be provided on the inner walls of the sleeve. After the adhesive supply has been cut off, the glue applying nozzles and shaft may be reciprocated below the level of the sleeve, and the preformed tray may be plunged into the sleeve in telescoping relation thereto. Through the use of this apparatus, the tray and sleeve may be uniformly bonded together in an extremely short period of time.

In preferred form, the nozzles are attached to the T- connection at the top of the hollow shaft to project in opposite directions therefrom. A glue supply is attached to the shaft through a swivel coupling. The hollow shaft is supported on a slide for axial movement from a position beneath the container sleeve to a second extreme position at a desired height within the wall of the sleeve. When a starting switch is actuated, a slide is automatically raised by a cylinder or other suitable means so that the nozzles enter the open bottom of the sleeve. At a predetermined elevation, a motor is energized to rotate the hollow shaft and adhesive under pressure is forced through the shaft. The glue from the fastly rotated nozzle is flung outwardly against the sleeve walls by centrifical force. When the nozzles reach their upper extreme position, the direction of axial movement of the shaft is reversed and the spinning nozzles are lowered. At a predetermined level, the pressure forcing the glue and the motor rotating the shaft are cut off and the nozzles are returned to starting position below the level of the sleeve.

Preferably the sleeve rests upon a table which is apertured to accommodate the spinning nozzles which are mounted for reciprocation at approximately the center of the sleeve. The table may project inwardly of the sleeve to limit the insertion of the tray into the sleeve. In preferred form, a disc is mounted about the level of the nozzles which extends into coplanar relation with the table in lowered position. This disc also serves to limit the insertion of the tray and to assist in supporting the weight of the container if it is filled while in place on the table.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of guide walls extending about three sides of the sleeve to properly locate the sleeve during the glue applying operation. Usually the table supporting the sleeve is inclined to simplify the operation of inserting the tray and also in filling the container. Preferably the table is pivotally supported so that at the completion of the filling operation, the table may be tilted into horizontal position or past horizontal position so that the heavy filled container may be easily slid from the table to a conveyor or the like.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus prior to the insertion of the tray.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the appara tus, the position of the section being indicated by the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus in readiness for being moved onto a conveyor.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of detailed portion of the construction.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional detail through the apparatus, the position of the section being indicated by the lines 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail through a por- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the outer and upper portion of the container after the adhesive has been applied thereto.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the partially assembled container, with the tray partially inserted into the outer shell.

FIGv 13 is a perspective view of the tray in partially assembled position.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view through the closed container, the contents being omitted in order to better illustrate the construction.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal section of the assembled container.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the outer portion of the container if formed.

In order to understand the purpose of the apparatus, the container A, illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 16 of the drawings, will be described. As indicated in FIG. 16, the container A includes a first end wall 10, a first side wall 11, a second end wall 12, and a second side wall 13. These walls are hingedly connected along parallel fold lines l4, l and 16. The glue flap or stitch flap 17 is hingedly connected to the end wall along a fold line 19 which is parallel to the previously described lines of fold.

A closure flap 20 is hingedly connected to the end wall 10 along a fold line 21 which intersects the previously described lines of fold at right angles. A closure flap 22 is hingedly connected to the side wall 11 along an extension of the fold line 22. A second end closure 23 is hingedly connected to the end wall 12 while a second side wall closure flap 24 is hingedly connected to the side wall 13. Hand hole openings 25 are provided in the end walls 10 and 12 for convenience in handling the container.

The other portion of the container is formed as illustrated in FIG. 13 of the drawings. A bottom panel 26 is provided which is hingedly connected along parallel lines of fold 27 to side walls 29. End walls 30 are hingedly connected to ends of the bottom panel 26 along parallel fold lines 31. Corner flaps 32 are hingedly connected to the ends of the side wall 29, and are folded into edge abutting relation outwardly of the end walls 30. Hand holes 33 are provided in the end walls 30, and the corner flaps 32 are notched as indicated at 34 to provide registering openings in the abutting corner flaps 32. When folded, the tray which is indicated in general by the numeral 35 is provided with a double thickness end walls. The tray 35 is of proper dimensions to fit within the rectangularly arranged side and end walls of the sleeve which forms thetop and outer portion of the side walls,

The purpose of the apparatus 8 is to apply adhesive to the inner surfaces of the side walls of the sleeve 36 in the manner indicated in FIGS. 2 and 11 of the drawings. While the adhesive is still in a moist condition, the tray 35 is inserted into the sleeve 36 where it remains. The tray 35 is adhered to all of the walls of the sleeve 36 forming a container which is extremely strong in stacking strength.

In forming the container A the following procedures are usually followed. The sleeve 36 is placed upon the apparatus B and the tray 35 is then formed much in the manner indicated in FIG. 13 of the drawings. The apparatus B is then operated to apply adhesive to the inner surfaces of all of the walls of the sleeve 36. The tray 35 is then inserted into the sleeve, the walls of the sleeve and tray being in contact and being adhered together. Usually, the container is filled while still in the apparatus. After the container is filled, the apparatus is tilted upwardly until the filled container is substantially hori zontal. The closure flaps are usually manually closed and the container is forced onto a conveyor.

The apparatus B includes a frame having a pair of rear legs 40 and a pair of substantially shorter front legs 41 connected by transverse connecting members 42 and side connecting member 43. A rectangular angular frame 44 is hingedly connected to the rear legs along aligned pivots 45. The frame 44 is designed to support the marginal edges of the bottom panel 26 of the assembled container. A front wall 46 and side walls 47 extend upwardly from the front and sides of the frame 44 so as to engage three walls of the container. As indicated in the drawings, one end wall closure flap 20 or 23 is folded down into contact with the wall to which it is hinged, and this flap is usually folded between the corresponding walls of the container and the front wall 46 of the device.

An air cylinder 48 is pivotally secured at 49 to a bracket 50 forming a part of the frame, and the piston rod 51 within the cylinder 47 is pivotally secured at 52 to the frame 44 joining the forward edge thereof. Upon actuation of the cylinder 48, the frame 44 may be pivoted from the normal inclined position indicated in FIG. 3 of the drawings to a substantially horizontal position as indicated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. When the container is filled, it is usually quite heavy, and the pivoting of the frame moves the container to a position where it may be more readily pushed from the appara' tus onto a conveyor or similar device which is not illustrated in the drawings.

As I indicated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings, the frame includes a pair of spaced angular blocks or ways 53 mounted upon a supporting plate 54. The tracks or ways 53 support a sliding mountable plate 55 having a trapezoidal slide 56 thereupon which is slideable between the ways 53. The mount plate 55 supports a pair of vertically spaced bearings 57 (See FIG. 6) which support a hollow shaft. The shaft 59 is provided at its upper end with a T connection 60 which connects the vertical shaft to a pair of oppositely directed hollow arms 61 which terminate in nozzles 62. The lower end of the shaft 59 is provided with a swivel connection 63 (See FIG. 8) which includes bearings 64 to support the shaft 59, and which provides a connection with pipe 65 through which adhesive under pressure is connected. Thus the adhesive is conducted through the hollow pipe 59 and to the nozzle 61 in the operation of the apparatus.

A motor 66 is mounted upon a bracket 67 attached to the mounting plate 55 and movable therewith. The motor shaft supports a pulley 67 connected to a pulley 69 on the hollow shaft 59 by a belt 70. When energized, the motor 67 rotates the hollow shaft 59 and the hollow arms 61 leading to the nozzles 62.

As indicated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, a cylinder 72 is pivotally connected at 73 to a bracket 74 connected to a cross brace 42. The cross brace 42 connects the rear legs 40 of the apparatus The structure is shown and somewhat enlarged form in FIG. 6 in which the cylinder 72 is arranged in vertical position to conserve drawing space.

A pair of angle irons 76 are supported in spaced parallel relation to the mounting plate 55 by spaced studs 77. A cross head 79 is secured to the upper ends of the angle irons 76. A piston rod 80 which is connected to a piston in the cylinder 72 (not illustrated) is secured by nuts 81 to the cross head 79. Upward movement of the piston in the cylinder 72 acts to slide the slide 56 and plate 55 upwardly in the tracks or ways 53. In this manner the hollow shaft 59 and the glue nozzles are reciprocated by action of the cylinder 72.

A rod is bolted or otherise secured as indicated at 83 to the cross head 79, and supports a limit switch operating cam 84. Carn 84 is designed to actuate a switch 90 which will be later described. A second cam 86 is also mounted on the shaft 82 to control a normally closed limit switch 103 which will be described. The cam lock 84 serves to start the motor 66 in operation when the glue nozzles raise to a predetermined elevation, and to direct adhesive to the dispening nozzles 62. The cam 86 serves to reverse the direction of movement of the piston shaft 80 when the uppermost position is reached. The cam 86 is adjustably positioned to vary the stroke of the piston shaft. This will be described in conjunction with the wiring diagram.

A disc 85 is supported on top of the T-connection 60 on a plate normal to the axis of the hollow shaft 59. This plate, in the lowered position of the shaft 59, assumes a position coplanar with the supporting table or frame 44 so as to form a support for the tray portion of the container while it is being filled, and also to limit the extent on which the tray portion of the container may be telescoped into the outer sleeve.

The wiring diagram of the drawings is illustrated in FIG. 9. A current is supplied through line wires L-l and L-2. Much of the operation of the apparatus is controlled by the cam 84 upon vertical movement of the rod 82 actuated by the cylinder 72. A switch member 90 includes a normally open switch 91 which is held closed by the cam 84 in the lowered position of the shaft 59, and a normally closed switch 92 which is normally held open by the cam 84 in the lowered position of the shaft 59. A conductor 93 leads through the switch 91, a manually operable switch 94, a safety switch 95, and a relay coil 96 to the line wire L-2. The safty switch 95 is closed by the insertion of a sleeve into the apparatus.

The relay 96 is adapted to close a first switch 97 connected by a conductor 99 through the switch 97 to a so lenoid 100 which controls the flow of air to the cylinder 72. A second switch 101 is designed to close a circuit through a conductor 102 extending from L-1 through a limit switch 103, through the switch 101, and to the relay coil 96 to provide a holding circuit.

The normally closed switch 92 is connected through a conductor 104 to the motor 67, the other terminal of which is connected to L-2. The switch 92, when closed, also closes a circuit through 105 to a solenoid 106, the other terminal of which is connected to L-2. When the solenoid 106 is energized, a glue valve is opened so that glue is extruded through the nozzles 62.

The air system is indicated in FIG. of the drawings. The air under pressure is connected from the air supply line 107 to valve 109 which manually controls the operation of the cylinder 47 to tilt the table between its two extreme positions. Air from the source 107 is also directed through an air regulating valve 110 to a value 111 controlled by actuation of the solenoid 100 to raise and lower the piston in the cylinder 72. Air pressure also may flow through a check valve 112 to a valve 113 which controls the position of the valve 114 controlling the flow of glue to the nozzles 62. The air supply is also connected to a glue tank 115 which forces glue through the glue line 116 to the interior of the shaft 59 when the valve 114 is open.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows. The sleeve portion 36 or the container is squared up and placed between the sides 47 of the apparatus, one folded flap being folded inwardly of the guide wall 46. This operation closes the safty switch 95. In this lowered position of the shaft 59, the switch 91 is held closed by a cam 84. When the manually operated switch 94 is closed, a circuit is closed to the relay coil 95, closing the switches 97 and 101.

When the switch 101 is closed, a circuit is closed through the conductor 102, and normally closed limit switch 103 to the relay coil 96 holding this relay energized. The closing of the switch 97 acts to energize the solenoid directing air to the bottom of the cylinder 72, and moving the shaft 59 upwardly.

When the nozzles 62 have risen to a predetermined level as determined by the cam 84, the cam will permit the switch 91 to open, and to close the switch 92. The closing of the switch 92 closes the ciruit from line wire L-l through conductor 104 to the motor 66, starting the motor in operation. At the same time, the switch 92 closes a circuit through the conductor to the solenoid 106 controlling the glue valve 1 14. As a result glue is forced through the nozzles and the rotation of the nozzles causes glue to be flung in all directions as the nozzles rotate.

When the cylinder 72 and its piston are fully extended, the limit switch 103 is opened, by the adjustable cam 86, breaking the circuit to the relay coil 96. The nozzles and the shaft 59 then gradually lower as determined by the rate at which air is permitted to escape from the lower end of the cylinder 72. When the cylinder lowers sufficiently so that switch 90 is engaged by the cam 84, the circuits to the motor 67 and the glue valve 106 out off and the glue ceases to flow. The shaft also ceases to rotate and glue has been applied uni formly to a predetermined area of the walls of the container shell 36. The assembled tray section 35 is then inserted into the shell 36 adhering the tray to the shell. In the present arrangement, the container is then filled with the desired product. When the contianer is loaded, the table is tilted upwardly by manual operation of the air valve 109 and filled container is slid onto a conveyor or to a container closing apparatus.

In accordance with the Patent Statues, l have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in Glue Applying Apparatus, while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

We claim:

1. A method of assembling a two part container including a multi-sided sleeve and a tray adapted to telescope into said sleeve, said tray having side walls adapted to engage in face relation with the walls of the sleeve, with an apparatus having a hollow reciprocable rotatable shaft, rotatable on an axis substantially coinciding with an axis of said sleeve, and a nozzle extending normally from said hollow shaft, the method including reciprocating the shaft upwardly into the sleeve, then rotating said shaft, forcing adhesive through said shaft and nozzle to fling adhesive onto the inner walls of the sleeve, reciprocating the shaft and nozzle from said sleeve, and inserting the tray into the sleeve.

n: x: a: 

1. A method of assembling a two part container including a multi-sided sleeve and a tray adapted to telescope into said sleeve, said tray having side walls adapted to engage in face relation with the walls of the sleeve, with an apparatus having a hollow reciprocable rotatable shaft, rotatable on an axis substantially coinciding with an axis of said sleeve, and a nozzle extending normally from said hollow shaft, the method including reciprocating the shaft upwardly into the sleeve, then rotating said shaft, forcing adhesive through said shaft and nozzle to fling adhesive onto the inner walls of the sleeve, reciprocating the shaft and nozzle from said sleeve, and inserting the tray into the sleeve. 